Virtual Worlds Forum

Taatu has announced plans to launch an English-language version of its virtual world, which has been live since 2005 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The web-based world looks very similar to Habbo Hotel, with an isometric perspective, cartoon avatars, and customisable apartments. The English beta will tie in with the existing versions, which according to Worlds In Motion is split roughly equally between male and female users, with the bulk being 10-19 year-olds who spend two and a half hours in the world every week. Happily, CEO Philippe Moitroux says it was the Virtual Worlds Forum Europe event that persuaded him the time was right to expand! The challenge Taatu will face in English-speaking markets is its similarity to Habbo, however, which is well established. How is Taatu better than Habbo, and how will it get that message across to its target users? The coming months should reveal all. (via Worlds In Motion)